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Paid certificateBeginnerScience

Super-Earths and Life

HarvardX astrobiology course on how life arose and how we search for habitable planets.

Taught byHarvard Online
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About this course

This introductory HarvardX course brings biology, geology and astronomy together. Seven modules cover the nature and origin of life, how planets are defined and discovered, what makes a world habitable and how scientists look for life beyond Earth.

Best for: Space enthusiasts who want an interdisciplinary science course.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain theories of how life arose on Earth
  • Describe methods for finding planets around other stars
  • Assess what makes a planet habitable
  • Discuss strategies for detecting life elsewhere

Syllabus and your progress

Tick modules off as you finish them on Harvard Online.

0 of 7 modules done

Plan your pace

At 4 hours a week you would finish in about 25 weeks, using the course time estimate above.

Progress is saved in this browser only. No account needed.

Cost and certificate

Paid certificate

Free to audit on edX; the verified certificate costs $149.

Harvard Online sets the terms and can change them. Check the course page before you commit serious time, and tell us if something changed.

Quick answers

Is Super-Earths and Life really free?
Yes, the course material is free on Harvard Online. Free to audit on edX; the verified certificate costs $149.
How long does Super-Earths and Life take?
Plan for about 97 hrs in total (Provider estimate: 15 weeks at 5-8 hrs/week (about 75-120 hours).). It is self-paced, so you can go faster or slower.
Do I need experience before Super-Earths and Life?
No. It is a beginner course with no prerequisites listed.

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Super-Earths and Life

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